Mike Holmgren, the first coach to lead the Seahawks to the Super Bowl and a member of the team's Ring of Honor, took a big step towards enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Holmgren, who helped build the Seahawks and Packers into NFC powers, taking both teams to the Super Bowl, was named the coach finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025.
Holmgren, who retired from coaching after the 2008 season, had a 161-111 record as a head coach for the Packers and Seahawks, as well as a 13-11 postseason record, taking the Packers to two Super Bowls, winning one, and the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl following a 13-3 2005 season.
Holmgren took those two teams to the playoffs a total of 12 times, winning eight division titles, and in both jobs, he helped turn around struggling franchises. For all their glory in the 1960s, the Packers hadn't enjoyed much success over a span of more than two decades before Holmgren arrived, reaching the playoffs just twice between their championship season in 1967 and Holmgren's arrival in 1992. Holmgren went on to reach the playoffs for six straight seasons from 1993-1998, reaching back-to-back Super Bowls, winning one.
Following that successful run, Holmgren joined the Seahawks in one of Paul Allen's first big moves as the new owner of the franchise, and just as he did in Green Bay, Holmgren led a quick turnaround in Seattle. Prior to Holmgren's arrival in 1999, the Seahawks had gone a decade without a playoff berth and hadn't had a winning record since 1990. The Seahawks won a division title in Holmgren's first season, then went the playoffs for five straight seasons from 2003-2007, winning four more NFC West titles and one NFC championship.
Holmgren's impact on the game extends beyond those two franchises, having also won a pair of Super Bowls as the offensive coordinator of the 49ers, and having built a coaching tree that includes multiple NFL head coaches, including Super Bowl-winning coaches Andy Reid and Jon Gruden. Holmgren was particularly renowned for his ability to help develop quarterbacks, including Hall of Famers Brett Favre and Steve Young, as well as Seahawks Ring of Honor member Matt Hasselbeck. Even Joe Montana, who was already one of the league's best quarterbacks before Holmgren joined the 49ers, credits his former offensive coordinator with helping him win a pair of MVP trophies later in his career.
"Mike Holmgren is one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, who belongs in the Hall of Fame," Montana wrote in a letter to the Pro Hall of Fame selection committee several years ago in 2019. "… Mike was like Bill Walsh in many ways, especially in the way he demanded perfection. He always pushed us to be perfect and those demands and his attention to detail helped make me and our offense better. The fact that he played quarterback only enhanced our relationship. When you have someone who has coached and played that position, when you come off the field you know the guy that you're going to be talking to is going to understand what you're going through. His method of being able to communicate as a player as much as a coach really made a difference for me."
Favre, who also wrote a letter of support for his former coach, said, "I know without a doubt I would not be where I am today without him. The three MVPs I was fortunate to win are a direct result of his coaching and leadership. He taught me how to play the QB position. He was brilliant as an offensive play-caller; the best I've ever seen."
And Young, who benefited from working with Holmgren early in his playing career, wrote, "Mike Holmgren really reflects all these great quarterback whisperers that are around the NFL today. They all come from that Mike Holmgren tree and the way he approached and coached the position. For me personally, I was a project. I wasn't easy to handle, and I had a lot of ways to do it. The fact that he was so successful with so many others says everything. I could see success with Joe and myself, but then he went to Brett, who is his own unique guy. It shows his athleticism as a coach that there's not one kind of quarterback that he can lead. I needed somebody who treated me as unique, who wasn't going to just lay his coaching principals on top of me, like a heavy blanket. He individualized his approach and I really appreciated that."
Holmgren is one of five finalists named by the Hall of Fame's Blue-Ribbon Committees on Tuesday along with Ralphy Hay (contributor) and Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer (seniors).
The Hall of Fame's selection committee will consider those five candidates at their annual meeting in New Orleans during Super Bowl LIX week, and up to three of the five will be selected for the Hall of Fame if they receive at least 80 percent of the vote. Each member of the selection committee may vote for only three of five finalists, and if none of the five receive 80 percent of the vote, then the one who receives the most votes will be elected to the Class of 2025.
Also still up for consideration are Seahawks Legends Earl Thomas and Ricky Watters, who are among the 25 semifinalists in the modern-era category. That group will be reduced to 15 finalists on December 28.
The Seahawks franchise will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025 so in honor of its 50th season, we are recognizing some of the greatest players to play in Seattle. The 12s have the opportunity to vote for the top 50 players in franchise history, with 163 players being eligible. Take a look at all 163 players that met the criteria for the vote and cast your ballots here.
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2 / 164
Quarterback Trent Dilfer #4 (2001 - 2004).
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Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 (2001 - 2010).
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Quarterback Brock Huard #11 (2000 - 2001).
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Quarterback Jon Kitna #7 (1997 - 2000).
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6 / 164
Quarterback Dave Krieg #17 (1980 - 1991).
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7 / 164
Quarterback Rick Mirer #3 (1993 - 1996).
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8 / 164
Quarterback Warren Moon #1 (1997 - 1998).
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Quarterback Geno Smith #7 (2019 - Present).
Saskia Potter / Seattle Seahawks
10 / 164
Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 (2012 - 2021).
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11 / 164
Quarterback Jim Zorn #10 (1976 - 1984).
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Running back Shaun Alexander #37 (2000 - 2007).
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13 / 164
Fullback Nick Bellore #44 (2019 - 2023).
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14 / 164
Running back Steve Broussard #31 (1995 - 1998).
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Running back Chris Carson #32 (2017 - 2021).
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16 / 164
Kick returner Bobby Joe Edmunds (1986 - 1988).
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17 / 164
Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 (2010 - 2015, 2019).
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18 / 164
Fullback Michael Robinson #26 (2010 - 2013).
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19 / 164
Running back Sherman Smith #47 (1976 - 1982).
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Fullback Mack Strong #38 (1993 - 2007).
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21 / 164
Running back Curt Warner #28 (1983 - 1989).
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22 / 164
Running back Chris Warren #42 (1990 - 1997).
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Kick returner Leon Washington #33 (2010 - 2012).
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Running back Ricky Watters #32 (1998 - 2001).
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25 / 164
Fullback John L. Williams #32 (1986 - 1993).
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26 / 164
Tackle Steve August #76 (1977 - 1983).
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27 / 164
Guard Edwin Bailey #65 (1981 - 1991).
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28 / 164
Tackle Howard Ballard #75 (1994 - 1998).
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29 / 164
Tackle Nick Bebout #63 (1976 - 1979).
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30 / 164
Center Justin Britt #68 (2014 - 2019).
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Tackle Duane Brown #76 (2017 - 2021).
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32 / 164
Center Blair Bush #59 (1983 - 1988).
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33 / 164
Tackle Ron Essink #64 (1980 - 1985).
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34 / 164
Tackle Norm Evans #73 (1976 - 1978).
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35 / 164
Center Grant Feasel #54 (1987 - 1992).
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36 / 164
Center Chris Gray #62 (1998 - 2007).
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37 / 164
Tackle Andy Heck #66 (1989 - 1992).
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38 / 164
Guard Steve Hutchinson #76 (2001 - 2005).
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39 / 164
Guard Germain Ifedi #65 (2016 - 2019).
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Tackle Walter Jones #71 (1997 - 2008).
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41 / 164
Guard Pete Kendall #66 (1996 - 2000).
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42 / 164
Guard Damien Lewis #68 (2020 - 2023)
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43 / 164
Tackle Sean Locklear #75 (2004 - 2011).
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44 / 164
Guard Tom Lynch #61 (1977 - 1980).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
45 / 164
Tackle Ron Mattes #70 (1986 - 1990).
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46 / 164
Center Kevin Mawae #52 (1994 - 1997).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
47 / 164
Guard Bryan Millard #71 (1984 - 1991).
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Tackle Bob Newton #78 (1976 - 1981).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
49 / 164
Tackle Russell Okung #76 (2010 - 2015).
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Guard Robert Pratt #61 (1982 - 1985).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
51 / 164
Tackle Ray Roberts #73 (1992 - 1995).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
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Center Chris Spencer #65 (2005 - 2010).
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Guard J.R. Sweezy #64 (2012 - 2015, 2018).
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54 / 164
Center Robbie Tobeck #61 (2000 - 2006).
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55 / 164
Center Max Unger #60 (2009 - 2014).
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Tackle Mike Wilson #75 (1986 - 1989).
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Guard Floyd Womack #77 (2001 - 2008).
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Center John Yarno #51 (1977 - 1982).
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59 / 164
Wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 (2011 - 2018).
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Wide receiver Alex Bannister #85 (2001 - 2005).
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Wide receiver Brian Blades #89 (1988 - 1998).
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Wide receiver Nate Burleson #81 (2006 - 2009).
Corky Trewin/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
63 / 164
Wide receiver Bobby Engram #84 (2001 - 2008).
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64 / 164
Wide receiver Joey Galloway #84 (1995 - 1999).
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65 / 164
Wide receiver Darrell Jackson #82 (2000 - 2006).
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Wide receiver Paul Johns #85 (1981 - 1984).
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67 / 164
Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse #15 (2012 - 2016).
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Wide receiver Steve Largent #80 (1976 - 1989).
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69 / 164
Wide receiver Tyler Lockett #16 (2015 - Present).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
70 / 164
Wide receiver Sam McCullum #84 (1976 - 1981).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
71 / 164
Wide receiver DK Metcalf #14 (2019 - Present).
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Wide receiver Koren Robinson #81 (2001 - 2004, 2008).
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73 / 164
Wide receiver Golden Tate #81 (2010 - 2013).
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74 / 164
Tight end John Carlson #89 (2008 - 2010).
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75 / 164
Tight end Will Dissly #89 (2018 - 2023).
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Tight end Christian Fauria #86 (1995 - 2001).
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77 / 164
Tight end Jimmy Graham #88 (2015 - 2017).
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78 / 164
Tight end Mike Tice #87 (1981- 1988, 1990-1991).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
79 / 164
Defensive tackle Sam Adams #98 (1994 - 1999).
CORKY TREWIN/PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
80 / 164
Defensive end Cliff Avril #56 (2013 - 2017).
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81 / 164
Defensive end Michael Bennett #72 (2013 - 2017).
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82 / 164
Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard #99 (2002 - 2008).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
83 / 164
Defensive end Red Bryant #79 (2008 - 2013).
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84 / 164
Defensive end Jeff Bryant #77 (1982 - 1993).
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85 / 164
Defensive end Chris Clemons #91 (2010 - 2013).
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86 / 164
Defensive tackle Poona Ford #97 (2018 - 2022).
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87 / 164
Defensive end Jacob Green #79 (1980 - 1991).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
88 / 164
Defensive tackle Robert Hardy #75 (1979 - 1982).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
89 / 164
Defensive end Bruce Irvin #51 (2012 - 2015, 2020, 2022).
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90 / 164
Defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy #96 (1990 - 2000).
CORKY TREWIN
91 / 164
Defensive end Patrick Kerney #97 (2007 - 2009).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
92 / 164
Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane #92 (2007 - 2015).
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93 / 164
Defensive tackle Joe Nash #72 (1982 - 1996).
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94 / 164
Defensive tackle John Randle #93 (2001 - 2003).
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95 / 164
Defensive tackle Jarran Reed #91 (2016 - 2020, 2023 - Present).
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96 / 164
Defensive end Michael Sinclair #70 (1992 - 2001).
97 / 164
Defensive tackle Manu Tuiasosopo #74 (1979 - 1983).
98 / 164
Safety Jamal Adams #33 (2020 - 2023).
JEROME DAVIS
99 / 164
Safety Jordan Babineaux #27 (2004 - 2010).
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100 / 164
Safety Jay Bellamy #20 (1994 - 2000).
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101 / 164
Safety Robert Blackmon #25 (1990 - 1996).
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102 / 164
Cornerback Dave Brown #22 (1976 - 1986).
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103 / 164
Cornerback Brandon Browner #39 (2011 - 2013).
Rod Mar
104 / 164
Safety Kam Chancellor #31 (2010 - 2017).
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105 / 164
Safety Quandre Diggs #6 (2019 - 2023).
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106 / 164
Safety Kenny Easley #45 (1981 - 1987)
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107 / 164
Seahawks safety Deon Grant #24 (2007 - 2009).
Corky Trewin/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
108 / 164
Cornerback Carlton Gray #26 (1993 - 1996).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
109 / 164
Cornerback Shaquill Griffin #26 (2017 - 2020).
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110 / 164
Safety Ken Hamlin #26 (2003 - 2006).
Corky Trewin/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
111 / 164
Cornerback Dwayne Harper #29 (1988 -1993).
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112 / 164
Safety John Harris #44 (1978 - 1985).
Corky Trewin/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
113 / 164
Cornerback Patrick Hunter #27 (1986 - 1994).
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114 / 164
Cornerback Roy Lewis #34 (2009 - 2011).
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115 / 164
Safety Julian Love #20 (2023 - Present).
Saskia Potter / Seattle Seahawks
116 / 164
Seahawks cornerback Ken Lucas #31 (2001 - 2004, 2009).
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117 / 164
Safety Eugene Robinson #41 (1985 - 1995).
118 / 164
Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 (2011 - 2017).
Jonathan Ferrey/2014 Getty Images
119 / 164
Safety Keith Simpson #42 (1978 - 1985).
Corky Trewin/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
120 / 164
Cornerback Shawn Springs #24 (1997 - 2003).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
121 / 164
Cornerback Terry Taylor #24 (1984 - 1988, 1994).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
122 / 164
Safety Earl Thomas #29 (2010 - 2018).
Maurice Labrecque
123 / 164
Safety Reggie Tongue #25 (2000 - 2003).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
124 / 164
Cornerback Marcus Trufant #23 (2003 - 2012).
Rod Mar
125 / 164
Cornerback Willie Williams #27 (1997 - 2003).
Corky Trewin/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
126 / 164
Safety Darryl Williams #33 (1996 - 1999).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
127 / 164
Seahawks cornerback Josh Wilson #26 (2007 - 2009).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
128 / 164
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon #21 (2023 - Present).
129 / 164
Cornerback Riq Woolen #27 (2022 - Present).
130 / 164
Linebacker Terry Beeson #58 (1977 - 1981).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
131 / 164
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks #56 (2020 - 2023).
Saskia Potter / Seattle Seahawks
132 / 164
Linebacker Chad Brown #94 (1997 - 2004).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
133 / 164
Linebacker Keith Butler #53 (1978 - 1987)
Corky Trewin/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
134 / 164
Linebacker Leroy Hill #56 (2005 - 2012).
Rod Mar
135 / 164
Linebacker Michael Jackson #55 (1979 - 1986).
136 / 164
Linebacker Winston Moss #55 (1995 - 1997).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
137 / 164
Linebacker Julian Peterson #98 (2006 - 2008).
138 / 164
Linebacker Rufus Porter #97 (1988 - 1994).
139 / 164
Linebacker Bruce Scholtz #58 (1982 - 1988).
140 / 164
Linebacker Anthony Simmons #51 (1998 - 2004).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
141 / 164
Linebacker Malcolm Smith #53 (2011 - 2014).
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142 / 164
Linebacker Lofa Tatupu #51 (2005 - 2010).
143 / 164
Linebacker Bobby Wagner #54 (2012 - 2021, 2023).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
144 / 164
Linebacker Dean Wells #95 (1993 - 1998).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
145 / 164
Linebacker Terry Wooden #90 (1990 - 1996).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
146 / 164
Linebacker Tony Woods #57 (1987 - 1992).
147 / 164
Linebacker K.J. Wright #50 (2011 - 2020).
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148 / 164
Linebacker Dave Wyman #92 (1987 - 1992).
149 / 164
Linebacker Fredd Young #50 (1984 - 1987).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
150 / 164
Kicker Josh Brown #3 (2003 - 2007).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
151 / 164
Punter Michael Dickson #4 (2018 - Present).
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152 / 164
Punter Jeff Feagles #10 (1998 - 2002).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
153 / 164
Kicker Steven Hauschka #4 (2011 - 2016).
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154 / 164
Kicker Efren Herrera #1 (1978 - 1981).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
155 / 164
Kicker Norm Johnson #9 (1982 - 1990).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
156 / 164
Kicker John Kasay #4 (1991 - 1994).
CORKY TREWIN/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
157 / 164
Kicker Olindo Mare #10 (2008 - 2010).
Corky Trewin
158 / 164
Kicker Jason Myers #5 (2019 - Present).
159 / 164
Long snapper Tyler Ott #69 (2016 - 2022).
ROD MAR/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
160 / 164
Kicker Todd Peterson #2 (1995 - 1999).
161 / 164
Punter Jon Ryan #9 (2008 - 2017).
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162 / 164
Punter Rick Tuten #14 (1991 - 1997).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
163 / 164
Punter Herman Weaver #18 (1977 - 1980).
PUGET SOUND DIGITAL
164 / 164
Punter Jeff West #8 (1981 - 1985).
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